Trim sender/gauge

[lrdchaos]

There doesn’t seem to be enough adjustment in my trim sender to accurately show how far up the drive is tilted. Meaning that when it’s in full trailer mode it shows 3/4 down on the gauge. I have adjusted the cap as far as I can with 2 screws. Is there a way to make more adjustments if I remove the sender cap and adjust something inside?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Short answer, no. All that sender is is a variable resistor. It has a low and a high resistance. The combination of manufactured variables from the sender and even more, the gauge, makes it an inexpensive guess on location. You will have to pick either the low end being reasonably accurate depiction of location, or the high side being a good indicator. Either that or buy replacements and find a combination of gauge and sender that is more in line with your desires.

 

[tpenfield]

It may not be properly positioned on the gimbal ring which would cause it to not read correctly. There is a procedure for setting and adjusting the sender (outlined in the outdrive manual) that makes adjustment fairly simple.

Try that first then proceed onto other possibilities as needed

 

[dubs283]

Mercruiser spec for the sender is to read full down on the gauge when the drive is in fact in the full down/in position. To adjust the sender properly it is most easy to do the adjustment with a helper.

Have the helper watch the gauge with the key on while you adjust the sender at the bell housing pivot pin. First, trim the drive to the full down/in position and remove the sender screws and the sender from the ring. Align the tabs (one on the rotating assy, the other on the sender housing) manually. Apply a dab of 2-4-C grease or equivalent in the pin hole where the rotating portion of the sender mounts. Install the sender but don't install the screws.

Have your helper turn the ignition key to the "run" position to power the gauges and inform you of the needle position. The goal is for you to rotate the sender so the gauge reads full down. Sometimes you may need to reposition the sender in the pivot pin so the mount slots line up with the screw holes in the ring. Once your helper confirms you have achieved the correct position of the sender with the gauge, install one screw and have your helper trim the drive up and verify the gauge operation. Trim the drive down and confirm the gauge reads full down. Some minor adjustment may be necessary. Repeat this process until correct. Once correct install the other screw and tighten them both

Keep in mind the system is designed for the operator to know only when the drive is full down. If the gauge will not read full up when the drive is tilted up but does in fact read full down that is okay according to Mercury. Most gauges are 240 ohm and should read full up/down accordingly.

If it bothers you that much then it may be time to replace the senders, gauge or both

 

[achris]

There doesn’t seem to be enough adjustment in my trim sender to accurately show how far up the drive is tilted. Meaning that when it’s in full trailer mode it shows 3/4 down on the gauge. I have adjusted the cap as far as I can with 2 screws. Is there a way to make more adjustments if I remove the sender cap and adjust something inside?

The sender can be installed in any one of 6 positions, only one is right. Once you find the right position, the slots on the side allow the sender to be 'fine adjusted'...